Causeway Classic Holsteins Peak at 10,200gns
2010-08-12

Elite Holstein heifers reached a ceiling of 10,200gns at this week’s Causeway Classic II, held at Balmoral. The event was organised by Holstein NI in conjunction with Gold Sponsors, Holstein UK, Genus ABS and United Feeds.

Priestland 4955 Gold Fifi ET realised a top price of 10,200gns for Iain and Joyce McLean, Bushmills.

There was a buoyant trade for high type calves with the auctioneers, Glyn Lucas and Willie Wilson, reporting a seventy five per cent clearance, resulting in the 22 lots commanding an average of £3,882 per head.

The event attracted over 400 bidders and spectators from throughout the north and south of Ireland, with several buyers making the trip from England, Scotland and Wales, while others placed their bids via the telephone.

Hitting the headlines at 10,200gns was the December 2009 born Priestland 4955 Gold Fifi ET consigned by Iain and Joyce McLean from Bushmills, County Antrim. This potential fourth generation EX was sired by Braedale Goldwyn, and is bred from the noted Penn-Gate Skychief Fifi EX94, which gave over 16,000 kilos in her third lactation. She attracted spirited bidding from the packed ringside audience, with the securing bid coming from Lewis McMurray who runs the Matfield Herd based at Banbridge, County Down.

Pine Tree Martha Sheen ET VG86 - her Planet daughter realised 8,500gns for William and Andrew McCollum, Coleraine

William and Andrew McCollum, Coleraine, County Londonderry, offered an Ensenada Taboo Planet ET daughter bred from Pine Tree Martha Sheen ET. Ballycairn Planet Missy ET is a potential eighth generation EX or VG, and is a full sister to the number 13 GTPI Ammon Peachey Shauna (GTPI 2363) – which sold for $21,000 as a first choice in 2008.

She sold with contract interest from several AI companies, and was snapped up at 8,500gns by Anthony Wills who runs the noted 1,000-cow Willsbro herd based at Pawton Dairy in Cornwall. This heifer was the first to sell in Europe from the hot new USA cow family. Pine Tree Martha Sheen has over 20 sons in AI in America, and over 80 per cent of her offspring have genomically tested above parent average.

Castletru Socrates Candy ET came under the hammer at 6,600gns for Mark and James Truesdale, Newcastle, County Down. Born in June 2009, she is bred from the VG88 2yr, Texel Beauty Shottle Choice – junior champion at Opmeer in 2009; and full sister to the $101,000 Ralma Shottle Camouflage VG88 (2yr) which sold at the Planet Holstein sale in 2008. She is bred from five generations of VG and EX, and joins Adrian and Conor McAufield’s Lissue herd at Lisburn.

Prehen Mascol Froukje 2 sold at 5,800gns

The UK’s number one PLI (£216) heifer, Prehen Mascol Froukje 2, realised 5,800gns for the father and son team of Robbie and Stuart Smith, Waterside, County Londonderry. This eight-month-old Mascol daughter is bred from Prehen Goldwyn Froukje VG87 (3yr) – projected to do almost 11,000 kilos in her second lactation. She boasts ten generations of VG and EX all over 4.5% butterfat and 3.5% protein, and sold to Kieran Tohill from Kilrea, County Londonderry.

The last lot catalogued was a first choice from three pregnancies due in September by Million and bred from the VG86 (2yr) Comestar Lautella Goldwyn. Consigned by David McAfee, Ballymoney, County Antrim, this lot realised 5,000gns, selling to the Willsbro herd. The resultant heifer calf will be a maternal sister to the VG87 (2yr) Bolton number 30 GLPI (2730) cow in Canada.

Another Million daughter commanded a bid of 4,100gns for Ronald McLean and Sons, Donaghmore, Dungannon. Relough Million Raven ET is a potential fifth generation EX, and is a maternal sister to six highly classified young cows, most of which have AI contracts. This November 2009 born Relough Durham Ruth PI ET daughter joins Cyril and Martin Millar’s herd at Coleraine.

Following close behind at 4,000gns was a first choice from two pregnancies by KHW Kite Advent Red and bred from Henkeseen Lic Ruffle Red VG88 (2yr). Backed by eight generations of VG and EX, the resultant calves are from the same family as world type leaders, Duplex and Sanchez. Consigned by David McAfee, this lot sold to Lismoor Genetics, County Cork.

County Longford breeder, Martin Riley, paid out 3,300gns to secure Killane Wisconsin Finesse Red 5 from David and Austin Perry’s herd in Ahoghill, County Antrim. This red and white heifer boasts five generations of EX or VG. Mr Reilly also received five straws of Picston Shottle, sponsored by Genus ABS, for the buyer of the highest priced calf sired by a Genus bull.

Speaking after the event Holstein NI chairman, John Patterson, said he was delighted with the outcome of the sale. “The atmosphere was tremendous, and we are pleased that the calves averaged almost £3,900 per head.

“I would like to thank our sponsors, trade stands, and everyone who came along and supported the event. Thanks also to the committee and all those worked behind the scenes to contribute to the success of the Causeway Classic.”

Leading prices include:

Iain and Joyce McLean, Bushmills, Priestland Gold Fifi, 10,200gns to Lewis McMurray, Banbridge, Co Down.

William and Andrew McCollum, Coleraine, Ballycairn Planet Missy, 8,500gns to Anthony Wills, Willsbro Herd, Cornwall.

Mark and James Truesdale, Newcastle, Castletru Socrates Candy, 6,500gns to Adrian and Conor McAulfield, Lisburn.

Robbie and Stuart Smith, Londonderry, Prehen Mascol Froukje 2, 5,800gns. to Kevin Tohill, Kilrea

David McAfee, Ballymoney, First Choice Lautella VG86 x Million, 5,000gns to Anthony Wills,  Willsbro Herd, Cornwall.

R McLean and Sons, Donaghmore, Relough Million Raven, 4,100gns to Cyril and Martin Millar, Coleraine.

David McAfee, First Choice Ruffle VG88 x Advent, 4,000gns to Lismoor Genetics, County Cork.

David and Austin Perry, Ahoghill, Killane Wisconsin Finesse Red 5, 3,300gns to Martin Riley, County Longford.

Timothy Haffey, Lurgan, Kilvergan Alexnader Liza 2 ET, 3,100gns to Sam Robinson, Crossgar.

Harry Patton and Sons, Newtownards, Ards Roumare Pixie, 3,000gns to Willard Watson, Coleraine.

Ian and Kenny Watson, Macosquin, Majestic Million Licorrie ET, 3,000gns to David Wilson, Newtownabbey.

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